EditA diplomat in name only? Questioning the appointment of the U.S. new Ambassador to Athens
Statements made by Kimberly Guilfoyle during a period of immense national suffering have not been forgotten in Athens
Perhaps the most significant hurdle for the incoming ambassadorto Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle is her own past commentary on Greece, writes Thomas Vance.
Thomas Vance is a student journalist at the University of Athens School of Political Sciences.
As the month draws to a close, Athens prepares to welcome the new United States Ambassador, Kimberly Guilfoyle, who will soon take up residence at the imposing ambassadorial residence. Her arrival, however, is not met with the customary diplomatic anticipation, but rather with a wave of public and private scrutiny. Her appointment represents a significant departure from tradition, as she enters the role without any prior diplomatic experience, raising questions about the signal this sends to one of America’s oldest allies.
A troubling past
Perhaps the most significant hurdle for the incoming ambassador is her own past commentary on Greece. During the height of the Greek debt crisis, from 2009 to 2018, Guilfoyle was a vocal critic. She notoriously referred to the Greek people as “free loaders,” accused them of relying on government handouts, and urged them to “improve their work ethic.” In a particularly dehumanizing remark, she suggested that Greeks needed to be punished “like untrained pets.” These statements, made during a period of immense national suffering, have not been forgotten in Athens. For many, they represent a deep-seated disrespect that will be a formidable obstacle to building the trust essential for her role.
From the courtroom to the catwalk: a prosecutor’s reinvention
Kimberly Guilfoyle’s biography is one marked by reinvention and public visibility rather than foreign service. Born in San Francisco in 1969 and educated in Catholic schools, her early career saw her as a lingerie model for Victoria’s Secret. She later transitioned to law, serving as a prosecutor in San Francisco, before finding her true calling in media. For over a decade, she was a prominent television personality on Fox News, where she cultivated a reputation for her blunt, on-screen style. This path – from model to prosecutor to media celebrity – is anything but conventional for a diplomat destined for a posting with such historical and strategic weight.
From ‘new Kennedys’ to Trump’s inner circle
Guilfoyle’s personal life has been as public as her professional one. Her marriage to former San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom once earned them the moniker of “the new Kennedys.” After their divorce, she married and later divorced furniture heir Eric Villency. Her most high-profile relationship was her engagement to Donald Trump Jr., which solidified her position as a core member of the Trump family’s inner circle, though the couple has since parted ways.
Scandal and rebirth: from Fox to the Trump coffers
Her tenure at Fox News ended controversially. She departed the network after reaching a reported $4 million settlement with a former assistant who alleged sexual harassment and a toxic work environment, including claims that Guilfoyle encouraged her to sleep with powerful men. Following her departure from media, Guilfoyle fully immersed herself in the political arena, becoming a formidable fundraiser for the Trump campaign. Her ability to leverage her celebrity status to raise millions for conservative causes made her a core member of Trump’s political team, a role that appears to have been the primary credential for her diplomatic appointment.
A style at odds with diplomacy?
Guilfoyle is known for her raucous, roaring speaking style, often delivered at a high volume that is a hallmark of political rallies. Her fashion choices, often deemed informal for a diplomatic setting, and her theatrical makeup have frequently made her a trending topic on social media. This persona, while effective for mobilizing a political base, has caused some in Athens to quietly question its suitability for the nuanced and restrained world of Greek diplomacy. There is a palpable concern about whether such a boisterous approach can harmonize with the gravitas of the role.
A contradictory mission
Upon her arrival, Ambassador Guilfoyle will be tasked with advancing a clear agenda: strengthening American influence in Greek ports, a key component of the Trump administration’s strategic vision for the region. This commercial and strategic mandate, coupled with her history of harsh criticism towards the Greek people, places her in a profoundly challenging position. As she settles into her new role, the fundamental question will not be about her political loyalty, but whether she can bridge the chasm her past words have created and earn the respect of the nation she is sent to represent.
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Caption: Kimberly Guilfoyle, President Trump’s nominee to be the US ambassador to Greece, speaks alongside US President Donald Trump during a Greek Independence Day celebration event in the East Room at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 24 March 2025. EPA/Samuel Corum/ POOL
Updated: October 28, 2025 - 11:57
